Thanks to the introduction of the App Store, we’ve had the ability to turn our iPhones into computer mice for quite some time now. Off the top of my head I can think of several apps that do this, including Mobile Mouse and Touch Mouse by Logitech.

But none of them can do what the team at Spicebox is claiming their new MAUZ accessory can do. The peripheral connects to your iPhone via the dock connector, and gives you motion and gesture-based control over computers and other gadgets…

Plugging in the MAUZ to your iPhone and launching the accompanying app will give you control over your computer in a variety of different ways. To start off, you can use it as a normal mouse, with left and right click buttons, or use it as a touch pad.

But where the accessory really shines are in its alternative control methods. For example, it supports motion control. So you can pick it up and wave it in the air like a Wii remote. Not cool enough? How about Minority Report-like air gesture controls?

I’m still not quite clear on how the MAUZ connects to your computer, but given the fact that Spicebox says that it also connects to smart TVs, I’m assuming its via Wi-Fi. On that note, the team is also releasing a SDK to further extend its functionality.

If you’re interested in the iPhone accessory, you can pop over to its Kickstarter page for more information. The project needs to hit a goal of $150,000 in the next 60 days to get funded, and you can help them by pledging—$45 gets you on the pre-order list.

It appears that Apple’s Lightning licensing restrictions continue to cause problems for third parties as, like a lot of accessories we’ve seen recently, the MAUZ does not yet support the new plug. But it’s hoping an iPhone 5 version will be ready by August.

I’m kind of torn here. The technology is no doubt very impressive, but how well will all of this — the motion and air gestures — work in the real world?

Does anyone know of a mouse app that will allow me to lay my iphone flat and move around like a real mouse. The apps I have seen are track pad based rather then using the acclerometer to move the cursor.

The accelerometer isnt sensitive enough to function as a mouse. However the MAUZ will include the ability to be used as a real mouse via a sensor that is plugged into the device. If you look at their kickstarter campaign there’s a picture of what you want

Ivan

There is an app (Mobile Mouse) that allows you to use your iPhone as a Wii remote (but for PC or Mac). You need to move your phone to move the cursor.

LOL, notice that that movie doesn’t show the cursor moving by simply sliding your iPhone on the desk, instead he was tilting it by suppressing the mattress; looks like it’s all just gesture based (not an actual mouse). In that case, Mobile Mouse Pro from AppStore does it all for just 3 bucks. For smart TVs, there’s a separate FREE app for that, MyTiFi Remote. Great idea, but just not worth it IMHO.